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Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse aerobatic team plane during a visit to the ASDF's base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 8, 2026. The plane flew over coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, ahead of its 15th anniversary.

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Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse aerobatic team plane during a visit to the ASDF's base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 8, 2026. The plane flew over coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, ahead of its 15th anniversary.

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Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

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Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

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Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

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Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft is recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

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Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft is recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

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Part of crashed Japan defense force jet recovered

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows part of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force T-4 training aircraft recovered from a large reservoir in Inuyama in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi on Aug. 15, 2025. The jet crashed in mid-May shortly after taking off from the ASDF's Komaki base, also in Aichi Prefecture, killing the two personnel aboard.

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Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

KOMAKI, Japan, Oct. 14 Kyodo - The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane leaves the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago. (Kyodo)

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Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane leaves the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago.

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Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane prepares to leave the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago.

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Japan ASDF plane heads for Djibouti

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's KC767 refueling and transport airplane prepares to leave the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, flying to Djibouti in East Africa to prepare for possible airlifting of Japanese nationals from Israel, where tensions are rising following Palestinian militant group Hamas's massive attack a week ago.

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Japan-France defense cooperation

A Rafale fighter from the French Air and Space Force takes part in the FASF's first-ever joint fighter jet drill with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at the ASDF's Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27, 2023.

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Japan-France defense cooperation

A Rafale fighter (front) from the French Air and Space Force takes part in the FASF's first-ever joint fighter jet drill with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at the ASDF's Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27, 2023.

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Japan-France defense cooperation

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura (R) attends a joint press conference with Gen. Stephane Mille, chief of staff of the French Air and Space Force, at the ASDF's Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27, 2023.

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Japan-France defense cooperation

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the French Air and Space Force hold a ceremony marking their first-ever joint fighter jet drill at the ASDF's Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27, 2023.

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Japan-France defense cooperation

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura (R) shakes hands with Gen. Stephane Mille, chief of staff of the French Air and Space Force, following a joint news conference at the ASDF's Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27, 2023.

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Japan-France defense cooperation

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura (R) shakes hands with Gen. Stephane Mille, chief of staff of the French Air and Space Force, during a ceremony marking their first-ever joint fighter jet drill at the ASDF's Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi in Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 27, 2023.

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SDF mission to evacuate Japanese nationals in Sudan

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130 transport plane takes off from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 21, 2023, for a mission to evacuate Japanese nationals from Sudan. The plane will fly to Djibouti and stand by to extricate 63 Japanese citizens in Sudan, where military clashes are intensifying.

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SDF mission to evacuate Japanese nationals in Sudan

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130 transport plane takes off from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 21, 2023, for a mission to evacuate Japanese nationals from Sudan. The plane will fly to Djibouti and stand by to extricate 63 Japanese citizens in Sudan, where military clashes are intensifying.

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ASDF aircraft to transport relief goods to quake-hit Turkey

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft prepares to take off from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on March 14, 2023, to transport tents and other relief goods to Turkey following the Feb. 6 devastating earthquake in the country and Syria.

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ASDF aircraft to transport relief goods to quake-hit Turkey

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft prepares to take off from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on March 14, 2023, to transport tents and other relief goods to Turkey following the Feb. 6 devastating earthquake in the country and Syria.

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ASDF aircraft to transport relief goods to quake-hit Turkey

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force KC-767 aerial refueling and transport aircraft takes off from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on March 14, 2023, to transport tents and other relief goods to Turkey following the Feb. 6 devastating earthquake in the country and Syria.

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Japan's disaster relief mission in quake-hit Turkey

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel board a Japanese government plane at the ASDF's Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 13, 2023, on a mission to transport disaster-relief equipment and materials to quake-hit Turkey. A Japanese disaster-relief team is currently conducting a search and rescue operation in Turkey following a powerful earthquake there and in neighboring Syria.

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Japan's disaster relief mission in quake-hit Turkey

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel line up before boarding a Japanese government plane at the ASDF's Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 13, 2023, on a mission to transport disaster-relief equipment and materials to quake-hit Turkey. A Japanese disaster-relief team is currently conducting a search and rescue operation in Turkey following a powerful earthquake there and in neighboring Syria.

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Japan's disaster relief mission in quake-hit Turkey

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel are pictured before boarding a Japanese government plane at the ASDF's Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 13, 2023, on a mission to transport disaster-relief equipment and materials to quake-hit Turkey. A Japanese disaster-relief team is currently conducting a search and rescue operation in Turkey following a powerful earthquake there and in neighboring Syria.

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Japan, India's joint fighter jet training

Japan Air Self-Defense Force members greet Indian Air Force personnel at the ASDF's Hyakuri Air Base in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 10, 2023, ahead of Japan and India's first joint jet fighter air exercise from Jan. 16.

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Japan, India's joint fighter jet training

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Takahisa Ishimura (R) and Col. Rohit Kapil of the Indian Air Force shake hands at the ASDF's Hyakuri Air Base in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 10, 2023, ahead of Japan and India's first joint jet fighter air exercise from Jan. 16.

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Japan, India's joint fighter jet training

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Takahisa Ishimura (R) and Col. Rohit Kapil of the Indian Air Force shake hands at the ASDF's Hyakuri Air Base in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 10, 2023, ahead of Japan and India's first joint jet fighter air exercise.

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JSDF plane heads for W. Africa with 20,000 sets of Ebola gear

NAGOYA, Japan - A Japan Air Self-Defense Force transport plane carrying 20,000 sets of anti-Ebola protective gear leaves from the ASDF's Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, for West Africa on Dec. 6, 2014.

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JSDF plane heads for W. Africa with 20,000 sets of Ebola gear

NAGOYA, Japan - Containers with 20,000 sets of anti-Ebola protective gear are loaded onto a Japan Air Self-Defense Force transport plane before its departure from the ASDF's Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, for West Africa on Dec. 6, 2014.

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JSDF plane heads for W. Africa with 20,000 sets of Ebola gear

NAGOYA, Japan - Containers with 20,000 sets of anti-Ebola protective gear are loaded onto a Japan Air Self-Defense Force transport plane before its departure from the ASDF's Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, for West Africa on Dec. 6, 2014.

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Japan air force's acrobatic flight show

FUKUOKA, Japan - People watch a performance by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse acrobatic flight team during a festival at the ASDF's Ashiya Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 23, 2011, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the base. The Blue Impulse, based at tsunami-hit Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, were not hit by the March 11 tsunami as the team was at the Ashiya base since March 10 to perform in an event.

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Missile units on way to northeastern Japan

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Japanese Air Self-Defense Force vehicles began moving Patriot guided-missile units from the ASDF's Hamamatsu base in Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan to locations in northeastern Japan on March 29 to shoot down a rocket North Korea plans to launch if it falls into Japanese territory.

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Astronaut-to-be flies last flight as ASDF pilot

SAYAMA, Japan - Kimiya Yui (L), an Air Self-Defense Force pilot selected to be astronaut, gets a watery greeting from one of his colleagues at the ASDF's Iruma Base in Saitama Prefecture on March 3 after finishing his last flight as an ASDF pilot. Splashing pilots with water after their last flight is a tradition in the ASDF. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency recently selected Yui and All Nippon Airways pilot to be astronauts.

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Astronaut-to-be flies last flight as ASDF pilot

SAYAMA, Japan - Kimiya Yui (in cockpit), an Air Self-Defense pilot selected to be an astronaut, is photographed with his wife Yasuyo (2nd from R) and their three children at the ASDF's Iruma Base in Saitama Prefecture on March 3 after flying the last flight as an ASDF pilot. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency recently selected Yui and an All Nippon Airways pilot to be astronauts.

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Last batch of main ASDF troops return home after ending Iraq mission

KOMAKI, Japan - About 140 Air Self-Defense Force troops returning home from Kuwait, where they have been stationed for Japan's airlift mission for Iraq, salute their colleagues at the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 23.

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Last batch of main ASDF troops return home after ending Iraq mission

KOMAKI, Japan - The last batch of Air Self-Defense Force troops returning home from Kuwait, where they have been stationed for Japan's airlift mission for Iraq, arrive by a government-chartered aircraft on Dec. 23 at the ASDF's Komaki base in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture.

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2 remaining ASDF cargo planes return from Iraq airlift mission

NAGOYA, Japan - Japanese troops get off an Air Self-Defense Force C-130H cargo plane that was involved in an airlift mission in Iraq at the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 21. The two remaining ASDF C-130H cargo planes involved in the mission returned to Japan the same day with 27 troops aboard.

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ASDF fuel tanker aircraft makes emergency landing

KAKAMIGAHARA, Japan - A KC-767 fuel tanker aircraft of the Air Self-Defense Force makes an emergency landing at the ASDF's Gifu Air Base in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, on Dec. 12 after it became unable to retract its refueling boom while on a flight.

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High court rules ASDF's dispatch to Iraq unconstitutional

NAGOYA, Japan - Plaintiffs in the lawsuit over the Air Self-Defense Force's dispatch to Iraq express joy in front of the Nagoya High Court in Nagoya on April 17 after the court ruled that Japan's dispatch of the ASDF to Iraq is unconstitutional.

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2 ASDF planes return from Iraq for maintenance

NAGOYA, Japan - Two C-130 transport planes of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF), which was sent to Iraq in January for reconstruction work, return to the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, on June 23 for maintenance.

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(3)20 ASDF personnel return home from Iraqi mission

KOMAKI, Japan - Air Self-Defense Force members are welcomed by their family at ASDF's Komaki base near Nagoya April 23 after they returned home after completing a three-month mission in Kuwait to help with U.S.-led reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

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(1)25 ASDF replacements for Iraq mission leave for Kuwait

KOMAKI, Japan - A C-130 transport plane of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) with 25 ASDF troops leaves the ASDF's Komaki air base in Aichi Prefecture for Kuwait on April 12.

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(3)25 ASDF replacements for Iraq mission leave for Kuwait

KOMAKI, Japan - Twenty-five members of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) are seen off at the ASDF's Komaki air base on April 12 before heading for Kuwait.

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(2)25 ASDF replacements for Iraq mission leave for Kuwait

KOMAKI, Japan - A member of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) hold his child before leaving the ASDF's Komaki air base for Kuwait on April 12.

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ASDF's C-130 transport plane in training in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait - A C-130 transport plane of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force lands at the Ali Al Salem Air Base in western Kuwait during a training exercise on Feb. 25 before participating in an airlift to Iraq.

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ASDF's C-130 transport plane in training in Kuwait

WESTERN KUWAIT, Kuwait - A C-130 transport plane of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) leaves the Ali Al Salem Air Base in western Kuwait for training on Feb. 9 before participating in an airlift to Iraq.

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(3)Core Japan air unit heads to Kuwait

KOMAKI, Japan - Col. Hironobu Mizoguchi, who is responsible for transport planning for the Air Self-Defense Force unit in Iraq, speaks to reporters at the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture on Jan. 22 before the first unit of the main ASDF contingent leaves for Kuwait to help in the reconstruction of Iraq.

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2 Japan transport planes leave for Iran to help quake victims

NAGOYA, Japan - An Air Self-Defense Force's (ASDF) C-130 transport plane departs for Iran from the ASDF's Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 30 to transport relief goods to Iran's quake-hit southeastern region. Two C-130 planes carrying some 30 personnel left the airport.